As children we were told alot to brush our teeth! I remember being a child and hearing that often "Hurry up and brush your teeth so we can get to church on time!" was probably the most common. What about in our old age? How important is dental hygiene now that we ourselves reached the age of our parents?
So why did our parents always want us to brush our teeth? It is because it reduces the risk of gum disease and prevents tooth decay. When we eat a bacteria called plague builds up on the outside layer of our teeth as a sticky film. Sugary or starchy foods promote plague that's why candy causes more cavities. The plague then produces an acid that leads to tooth decay. This tooth decay is best known as cavities. Cavities occur when the acid produced by plague tears down the enamel. Brushing your teeth removes food debris and all plague that causes the need to see the dentist for cavities and tooth decay.
Other reasons we should brush our teeth are preventing gum disease or gingivitis. Gingivitis and gum disease is experienced as swollen and bleeding gums. Gingivitis can lead to other serious health issues like tooth loss. Just brushing your teeth twice a day helps in preventing all bacteria or plague related dental dilemmas and helps to keep the doctors away.
That's not all, brushing your teeth also helps to freshen breath caused by bacteria. Flossing and mouthwash can both eliminate the food particles in your mouth that cause bad breath. It promotes overall well being. Dental hygiene is linked to heart health, systematic health, respiratory health, and diabetes. Finally it helps to enhance the aesthetic appeal by keeping your teeth white. A vibrant and while smile is more attractive and helps to keep you feeling youthful.
How to help brush someone else's teeth?
First hand them the toothbrush to see if they can brush their own teeth. If they can't follow the instructions below. To brush someone's teeth ensure you communicate what your doing first. Ensure your participant knows your going to brush their teeth. Place one of your hands on the participants shoulder and show them the tooth brush. Place the tooth paste onto the tooth brush in front of them and ask them to open their mouth. Then insert the tooth brush into their mouth and start all the way in the back of the jaw. Moving the tooth brush on top of all surfaces going back and forth until you make it to the other side of the mouth for both top and bottom. Repeat on the other surfaces as needed to get a good and clean mouth free from all bacteria that causes bad breath. If you need to distract your participant your can! Give them another toothbrush to hold. These are the guidelines from the Personal Care Aide training manual.
In conclusion brushing someone's teeth or your own is not that hard and only takes 2 minutes. The benefits are immense and this good habit alongside other good habits can really make a difference in your life. It can prevent higher costs later in life and prevents unnecessary dentist or doctor visits. Brushing teeth is one of our caregivers responsibilities so you can feel healthy! Check out our other services that we offer with our PCA certified caregivers who are ready to help at all hours of the day or night all days a year for all your non-medical needs.